ENG-1989 — Page 307

PUBLIC ORDER

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During the year, the department administered three closed centres at Sham Shui Po and Tuen Mun. With the introduction of the screening policy for Vietnamese boat people on June 16, 1988, the department has managed seven detention centres at Chi Ma Wan, Hei Ling Chau, Nei Kwu Chau, Cape Collinson, Sham Shui Po, Green Island and Whitehead.

Under the screening policy, the boat people in detention centres are interviewed by immigration officers to determine their status. Those deemed to be refugees are transferred to closed centres, while the others remain in the detention centres as illegal immigrants pending repatriation to Vietnam.

Voluntary agencies operating in conjunction with the United Nations High Com- missioner for Refugees (UNHCR) continue to provide services to refugees in closed centres. The department is working closely with the UNHCR and Security Branch on the gradual liberalisation of the closed centres. Services such as educational classes and work programmes for Vietnamese boat people and illegal immigrants in detention centres are provided by the Correctional Services Department.

Staff Training

The department's Staff Training Institute provides training for both new and serving officers. All recruit assistant officers and officers go through a 26-week orientation training programme, followed by a further five weeks of training prior to completion of probation. The syllabus includes a study of the laws of Hong Kong, foot-drill, self-defence, weaponry, riot-drill, first-aid, criminology and penology, basic psychology and social work.

Development training and job-oriented courses are provided throughout the year to all serving officers to update their professional knowledge, prepare them for promotion and equip selected officers for duties in specialised fields such as counselling, after-care, nursing, psychological services and physical education. Weekly in-service training is carried out within institutions to cater for the needs of individual institutions.

Society for the Rehabilitation of Offenders

The Society for the Rehabilitation of Offenders, Hong Kong, is a voluntary organisation founded in 1957 as the Hong Kong Discharged Prisoners' Aid Society. It provides care and supervision for ex-offenders who are given non-custodial sentences and persons released from prisons. Services provided include casework, group work, counselling, hostel accom- modation, employment guidance, recreational activities as well as care for those who have a history of mental illness.

Fire Services

During the year, the Fire Services Department responded to 23 138 fire calls, 15 154 special service calls, 235 955 emergency and 192 004 non-emergency ambulance calls. Fires caused 48 deaths, and injured 620 people, including 39 firemen. A total of 2 330 persons were rescued and hundreds of others were led to safety by Fire Services personnel.

Buildings and Quarters

In line with government policy to provide an emergency response to all areas within minimum set times according to the category of risk, one new fire station and two ambulance depots were commissioned in 1989. These were Kotewall Fire Station, Tsuen Wan Ambulance Depot and Wong Tai Sin Ambulance Depot. Cheung Chau Fire Station and Ap Lei Chau Fire Station were reprovisioned to improve services on Cheung Chau Island as well as Ap Lei Chau. There are now 58 fire stations, 25 ambulance depots/ stations and five fireboat stations in the territory. Forty-two rank-and-file married quarters